Gilbert teen violence: Arrests made in connection with violent August parking lot incident

GILBERT, Ariz. - Arrests have been made in connection with an assault and robbery incident in Gilbert last year.

According to Gilbert Police, 18-year-old Christopher Fantastic was arrested on Jan. 9 for his alleged involvement in the incident, which happened on August 18, 2023, in a parking lot near Williams Field Road and Market Street.

18-year-old Aris Arredondo and two 16-year-old juveniles were also arrested. They're accused of aggravated robbery and aggravated assault.

Court documents for the suspect remain sealed as of Jan. 11, but we have learned that bonds were set at $25,000 for Arredondo and Fantastic. Arredondo, we have learned, has been released on bail, and is wearing an ankle monitor, while Fantastic remains in jail.

Aris Arredondo and Christopher Fantastic

"This investigation is ongoing. This investigation is independent and separate from Queen Creek's investigation into the death of Preston Lord," read a portion of the brief statement.

Gilbert rocked by ‘Gilbert Goons' controversy

Fantastic's arrest came on the same night members of the Gilbert Town Council voted to establish a teen violence subcommittee.

On the same night, Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg announced that there are nine active investigations related to teen violence, including five incidents that were previously not reported to police.

"While it is frustrating that this incident was not reported to the police prior, this is an example of what we need from our community, and we are thankful for the victim who had the courage to report this delayed assault," read a portion of Chief Soelberg's statement.

Previously, on Dec. 22, 2023, police released a number of photos that they say are connected with the incident that they now say Fantastic is allegedly connected to. The photos were of a low resolution, but some of them show a group of people involved in what appears to be a fight. In one photo, a person's face can clearly be seen.

At the time, Gilbert Police officials did not appear to officially link the Aug. 18 incident to the so-called "Gilbert Goons" group. However, officials have since said the department is "working with the Arizona Gang & Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission (GIITEM), the Mesa Police Department Gang Unit, the Queen Creek Police Department, the Chandler Police Department, and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office to thoroughly investigate any individuals self-proclaiming or being affiliated by others as being associated with the term 'Gilbert Goons.'"

"Initially, Gilbert PD did not have any reports where the victims or the suspects referred to "Gilbert Goons"; however, in recent information received from victims there are references to their assailants as being associated with "Gilbert Goons,'" a portion of Gilbert Police's website reads.

The investigation, according to Gilbert Police officials, will determine if the so-called ‘Gilbert Goons’ can be classified as a criminal street gang under Arizona law.

Victim's mother speaks

As police continue to investigate incidents of teen violence, we caught up with the mother of one of the victims.

We first spoke with the victim's father in December 2023. At the time, Richard Kuehner said his son suffered internal kidney damage following an attack at a parking lot near a fast food eatery, and blood could be seen coming out of his mouth. Following the attack, Kuehner withdrew his son from school, and sent him to live with his mother overseas.

On Jan. 11, 2024, we caught up with the victim's mother.

"It was just so overwhelming," said the mother. "It was like a tsunami wave that truly just rocked our world, and we're still trying to, like, come out of it."

The woman said she found out, after she got word that her son was in an emergency room, that a group of adults and teens attacked her son and recorded it.

"At that time when the assault was reported, there was little to no investigation performed, despite quite a bit of evidence provided at that time," said the woman.

The case was closed, but was subsequently reopened.

"Innocent victims that have been attacked have kind of just come forward, and it just raised awareness," said the woman. "I think it may have put pressure on on the police department to take initiative and reopen these cases that, quite frankly, should never have been closed."

The woman said she is keeping a close eye on the victim, knowing he faces psychological and emotional trauma.

"we need to do something about it, not give these individuals and an opportunity to look around at their next victim," said the woman. "When you've got hundreds of other classmates just walking, you know, walking around on campus and have no idea that you have these parasites that are lurking, that are looking to see ‘who am I going to wreak havoc on today?’"